Generate getopts-based argument parsing for shell scripts with short/long options and validation.
Scanned 9/2/2026
Install to Claude Code
npx -y skills add a5c-ai/babysitter --skill getopts-parser-generator --agent claude-codeInstalls into .claude/skills of the current project.
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---
name: getopts-parser-generator
description: Generate getopts-based argument parsing for shell scripts with short/long options and validation.
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Glob, Grep
graph:
domains: [domain:software-engineering]
specializations: [specialization:cli-mcp-development]
skillAreas: [skill-area:cli-design, skill-area:mcp-server-implementation, skill-area:parsing-data-formats]
roles: [role:backend-engineer, role:platform-engineer]
workflows: [workflow:feature-development]
topics: [topic:developer-experience]
---
# Getopts Parser Generator
Generate getopts-based argument parsing for shell scripts.
## Capabilities
- Generate getopts parsing code
- Support short and long options
- Implement option validation
- Create help text generation
- Handle required arguments
- Generate usage documentation
## Usage
Invoke this skill when you need to:
- Add argument parsing to shell scripts
- Support short and long options
- Validate argument values
- Generate help text
## Generated Patterns
### Getopts with Long Options
```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash
# Default values
VERBOSE=false
OUTPUT=""
FORMAT="text"
FORCE=false
# Usage function
usage() {
cat <<EOF
Usage: $(basename "$0") [OPTIONS] <input>
Options:
-h, --help Show this help
-v, --verbose Enable verbose output
-o, --output FILE Output file (default: stdout)
-f, --format FORMAT Output format: text, json, csv (default: text)
-F, --force Force overwrite existing files
Arguments:
input Input file to process
EOF
}
# Parse options
parse_options() {
# Transform long options to short ones
for arg in "$@"; do
shift
case "$arg" in
'--help') set -- "$@" '-h' ;;
'--verbose') set -- "$@" '-v' ;;
'--output') set -- "$@" '-o' ;;
'--format') set -- "$@" '-f' ;;
'--force') set -- "$@" '-F' ;;
*) set -- "$@" "$arg" ;;
esac
done
# Parse short options
local OPTIND opt
while getopts ":hvo:f:F" opt; do
case "$opt" in
h) usage; exit 0 ;;
v) VERBOSE=true ;;
o) OUTPUT="$OPTARG" ;;
f)
case "$OPTARG" in
text|json|csv) FORMAT="$OPTARG" ;;
*) die "Invalid format: $OPTARG" ;;
esac
;;
F) FORCE=true ;;
:) die "Option -$OPTARG requires an argument" ;;
\?) die "Unknown option: -$OPTARG" ;;
esac
done
shift $((OPTIND - 1))
# Remaining arguments
if [[ $# -lt 1 ]]; then
usage
die "Missing required argument: input"
fi
INPUT="$1"
shift
# Extra arguments
EXTRA_ARGS=("$@")
}
die() {
echo "Error: $*" >&2
exit 1
}
# Parse and validate
parse_options "$@"
# Validation
[[ -f "$INPUT" ]] || die "Input file not found: $INPUT"
[[ -n "$OUTPUT" && -f "$OUTPUT" && "$FORCE" != true ]] && \
die "Output file exists: $OUTPUT (use --force to overwrite)"
```
## Target Processes
- shell-script-development
- shell-completion-scripts
- argument-parser-setup
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